Italian-born artist Nicola Verlato paints a scene from Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel fresco on the ceiling of a new Fiat 500L on the opening day of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Italian-born artist Nicola Verlato paints a scene from Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel fresco on the ceiling of a new Fiat 500L on the opening day of the Los Angeles Auto Show. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Max Chen, right, a physics major visiting from the University of Colorado, joins other curious motor heads to examine the new Porsche engine at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Max Chen, right, a physics major visiting from the University of Colorado, joins other curious motor heads to examine the new Porsche engine at the Los Angeles Auto Show. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)